Chapter 117: The Battle of the Twelve Strong Tournament – South Korea

In the world of competitive sports, there is an old saying: victory can cover up all problems.

After Villarreal staged an epic and astonishing comeback to eliminate Monaco and advance to the Champions League group stage, all the issues within the team seemed to be overshadowed by this triumph. It appeared as though everything was back on track. Four days later, in the second round of La Liga, Sevilla would be the perfect opponent to test whether they truly had returned to form.

Sevilla had been Villarreal’s adversary in last season’s Europa League final and was the team that handed Dai Zhiwei his first defeat in La Liga.

However, this highly anticipated match proceeded somewhat uneventfully, with the score locked at 0-0 until the 69th minute.

At that moment, Dos Santos broke through on the right flank of the penalty area, earning Villarreal a free kick.

Facing a free kick from 29 yards out, Dai Zhiwei once again executed a curved shot — the Serbian goalkeeper was helpless against the rapidly descending, high-arching strike, forced to watch as the ball narrowly brushed the post and nestled into the net!

With this sole goal of the game, Dai Zhiwei demonstrated his mastery of free kicks.

After tactical victories over Monaco and Sevilla, the dark clouds that had loomed over Villarreal seemed to have dissipated. Yet at this juncture, Dai Zhiwei was set to depart for his homeland to participate in the Asian final round of World Cup qualifiers.

Since the Rio Olympics, the most significant event in Chinese competitive sports was undoubtedly the World Cup Asian qualifiers, particularly the showdown between China and South Korea.

As the first match in China’s renewed quest for the 2018 World Cup, its strategic importance was self-evident. For the Chinese public, returning to the final 12 of the Asian qualifiers after 15 years was already a feat, and the opponent, South Korea, was fraught with intrigue.

Though the term “Korean phobia” had long fallen out of use, who wouldn’t want to open their campaign with a win over such a formidable rival?

South Korea only assembled for their first joint training session this Monday, leaving them somewhat pressed for time ahead of this crucial qualifier. Yet their star player, Son Heung-min, confidently asserted that “three days are enough.”

Despite some bravado, the Korean team’s confidence was widespread. Stars familiar with Chinese football, such as Kim Young-gwon and Jang Hyun-soo, predicted an easy victory, with a 3-0 scoreline considered the bare minimum.

In contrast to South Korea’s swagger, China approached the match with quiet determination. Before departing for Korea, the Chinese team trained intensively in Shenyang for a week, underscoring their seriousness.

Still, the gap in strength was undeniable — China was ranked 72nd in the world, 24 places behind South Korea. More daunting was their history: in 32 previous meetings, China had never won once. There was little reason for the Chinese team to be favored.

If China held any advantage, it was perhaps the home support factor. More than just psychological comfort on the pitch, Korean media worried about losing the battle in the stands.

“Don’t let our home ground fall,” South Korean coach Stielike implored through the press, urging more Korean fans to attend. As the match approached, his concerns grew increasingly justified.

The Chinese Football Association had purchased 15,000 tickets for away fans; combined with tourists and Chinese residents in Korea, over 30,000 Chinese supporters were expected in the stadium.

Korean media noted that the chants of “Jiayou!” might well drown out the home crowd at the Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium.

The Korean Football Association estimated an attendance of about 55,000, meaning the number of Chinese fans could surpass that of the home supporters. A victory in this “battle of the stands” could bolster China’s chances on the pitch.

How both teams would line up was a major question, yet their core rosters were no secret.

Compared to China’s squad, featuring only Dai Zhiwei and the young overseas player Zhang Yuning, South Korea’s lineup was far more cosmopolitan.

Interestingly, among their overseas contingent were not only European stars like Son Heung-min, Ki Sung-yueng, and Koo Ja-cheol but also five players from the Chinese Super League.

These players, mostly defenders and midfielders, had gained experience competing against high-profile foreign attackers in the CSL and were familiar with Chinese footballers. Among them, including Chongqing Lifan’s foreign player Jung Woo-young, several were expected to start.

China deployed a five-defender formation: Zhang Linpeng, Feng Xiaoting, Zheng Zhi, Li Xuepeng, and Ren Hang lined up at the back. In midfield, Wu Xi, Huang Bowen, and Yu Hai formed a trio of defensive midfielders, with Dai Zhiwei partnering Wu Lei upfront.

South Korea’s starting lineup featured Kim Kee-hee, Hong Jeong-ho, and Jang Hyun-soo forming a “CSL defensive line,” while captain Ki Sung-yueng and Son Heung-min led the “European-class” attack.

Notably, China wore their all-yellow away kit for the first time, perhaps hoping to channel Villarreal’s good fortune, while South Korea appeared in all red.

South Korea’s lineup: Jung Sung-ryong; Jang Hyun-soo, Kim Kee-hee, Hong Jeong-ho, Woo Jae-suk; Han Kook-young, Ki Sung-yueng; Lee Chung-yong, Koo Ja-cheol, Son Heung-min; Ji Dong-won.

China’s lineup: Zeng Cheng; Zhang Linpeng, Feng Xiaoting, Zheng Zhi, Li Xuepeng, Ren Hang; Wu Xi, Huang Bowen, Yu Hai; Dai Zhiwei, Wu Lei.

From the outset, the home side took the initiative. Ji Dong-won headed a pass on, and Son Heung-min’s long-range shot narrowly missed.

A minute later, China nearly scored. Li Xuepeng launched a powerful throw-in from the sideline into the penalty area. Dai Zhiwei’s shot from 10 yards was blocked by Jung Sung-ryong, and Hong Jeong-ho cleared it.

Subsequently, Wu Xi took a corner from the left; Huang Bowen’s header over the front post went just over the bar.

After China missed two clear chances, they suffered a blow. In the 17th minute, South Korea took the lead. Lee Chung-yong passed to the edge of the box where Ren Hang fouled Koo Ja-cheol. After consulting the linesman, the referee upheld the penalty decision.

Dai Zhiwei had no complaints about the penalty call against China on Korean soil. In this mysterious land, even Italy and Portugal failed to beat the hosts in 2002; a controversial call was nothing new.

Son Heung-min calmly converted the spot kick after the referee’s whistle.

1-0.

With the lead, South Korea’s attacks grew more fierce.

Woo Jae-suk drove quickly down the left, reaching the byline. Ren Hang thought he was well-prepared to mark the position but underestimated the Korean international’s skill, who outmuscled him.

Ren Hang hurriedly chased after Woo Jae-suk, but the latter’s cross came too swiftly. Fortunately, Zheng Zhi, playing center-back today, intercepted with a header, clearing the danger.

Dai Zhiwei was baffled by Ren Hang’s inexplicable presence on the pitch, as he was the team’s weakest link. Yet both the current coach, Alain Perrin, and his predecessor, Gao Hongbo, showed him remarkable favor — akin to Du Feng’s inexplicable admiration for Dehao.

Lee Chung-yong attempted to pass, but Yu Hai held him off physically. Their tussle allowed Woo Jae-suk to break free, receiving the ball and surging forward. Yu Hai couldn’t keep pace and could only watch as Woo unleashed a long-range shot.

The shot was straight at goal but was comfortably caught by Zeng Cheng.

Without hesitation, Zeng Cheng launched a long clearance. Neither side won the first ball in midfield, but Yu Hai, nearing defensive midfield, seized the chance and quickly passed to Dai Zhiwei.

Dai Zhiwei turned and surged forward but was immediately met with a hard tackle from Korea’s Han Kook-young.

While China boasts Shaolin football, Korea’s taekwondo-style football was equally formidable.

Feeling pain in his leg, Dai Zhiwei cursed but pressed on.

Han Kook-young was relentless; seeing Dai still standing, he followed up with another challenge.

Dai shifted the ball to the right and executed a sharp feint, narrowly avoiding the collision.

“I’m quite the talent with that sharp angle dodge!” Dai thought as he sprinted ahead, finally shaking off his persistent marker.

Wu Lei received the ball and charged forward but was stopped by a defender. He retraced his steps to find an opening. Dai Zhiwei made a timely run, and Wu Lei passed to him.

Dai took two or three strides before unleashing a ferocious shot like a cannonball toward the Korean goal.

Goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong was both unfortunate and lucky — helpless to react, he simply watched the ball speed past but just wide, hitting the side netting. China missed a crucial chance to equalize.

Before China could vent their frustration, controversy struck again in the 36th minute. After a one-two between Wu Lei and Dai, Dai broke into the box but was tripped by Kim Kee-hee. Yet the referee waved play on.

Perhaps out of guilt, the referee did not caution Dai for his loud protests.

China, repeatedly wronged, went into halftime trailing 0-1 with frustration mounting.

Trailing by a goal, Perrin repositioned Zheng Zhi from center-back to defensive midfield during the break to bolster the attack, but this shift sowed the seeds for China’s second concession.

In the 56th minute, South Korea doubled their lead. Jang Hyun-soo’s free kick from the right found Ki Sung-yueng, who headed the ball into the far corner at the six-yard box.

0-2.

China suffered a heavy blow.

Fortunately, this Chinese team was built around Guangzhou Evergrande, last year’s AFC Champions League third-place finishers. If even Barcelona were unafraid of them, how could they fear South Korea? The team still possessed fierce resolve.

Down by two goals, China launched a counterattack in the 64th minute after a midfield interception. Wu Xi played a through ball; Dai Zhiwei once again outpaced Han Kook-young down the left, surging toward the edge of the box.

With speed as his weapon, Dai paid no mind to Ki’s defense, overtaking him from the outside to enter the box.

As the saying goes, “In all martial arts, speed conquers all.”

The Korean fans erupted in chaos, noise flooding Dai’s ears, though he paid no attention — he couldn’t understand the rapid Korean chatter anyway.

Just as Dai was about to break free into the box, the charging Kim Kee-hee was ready with a brutal sliding tackle.

Dai was caught off guard, still preparing to push forward. Seeing Kim’s challenge, he instinctively leaped to evade but was still knocked down inside the box.

The whistle blew!

China’s players swarmed Kim Kee-hee in fury. Frequent wrong calls and the score deficit had frayed their nerves, while Korean players quickly arrived.

Dai sat on the ground, arms outstretched, looking at the referee in disbelief. How could he not award a penalty on such a clear foul?

As for a straight red card for Kim Kee-hee, Dai doubted the referee’s leniency this match would allow it.

The referee hurried forward, and with the captains’ intervention, the players were quickly separated.

Ultimately, the referee awarded the penalty but issued only a yellow card.

The live Chinese broadcast commentators vehemently criticized the referee, disregarding the supposed neutrality of national television. Such a dangerous tackle deserved a red card; clearly, the referee seemed eager for a Shaolin football versus taekwondo football showdown.

Dai got up, wincing as he moved his ankle—he had likely twisted it during the fall, the pain still sharp. His personal health status on the system dropped to 6.

“Are you okay?” older teammate Zheng Zhi quietly asked.

“No big deal,” Dai shook his head, pressing on the sore spot. It seemed only a minor injury that would heal in a few minutes.

As China’s star player, Dai stepped up to take the penalty.

Without any feints, he struck the ball with the power of a tiger’s pounce. Jung Sung-ryong didn’t even raise a hand, merely watching the ball swirl into the net behind him.

1-2.

China had pulled one back, spirits lifted.

After scoring, Dai didn’t celebrate with his usual trademark gesture but quickly retrieved the ball, eager to restart play.

However, goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong showed commendable sportsmanship, reaching out to swipe the ball away from Dai’s hands.

“Hey!” Dai dribbled behind Jung to evade the challenge, glancing at him, “Are you crazy?”

(End of chapter)